Error adding Outlook.com email address to Outlook 2021

Question

I am trying to add my outlook.com email address to my Outlook 2021 application on my PC but I get the following error

I am running Windows 11 23H2 Professional, Office Professional Plus 2021. I have the latest Windows and Office updates.

My Internet connection works properly. I am not using a VPN.

I have tried using the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Setup\DisableOffice365SimplifiedAccountCreation registry setting (both 0 and 1).

I use classic user accounts, and not Microsoft accounts.

I have logged out and back in to my local account. I have also performed a full reboot.

I've been through the steps defined in https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-youll-need-the-internet-for-this-0x800704cf-in-windows-10.

All to no avail.

Answer 1

Hi @Marc Pavlenyi

Glad to hear this issue has been resolved! Thanks for the sharing.

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However, due to a recent update in forum policy, the question author now is not able to accept their own answers.

So I have written a brief summary of the solution this issue. Please feel free to accept it as the answer, which would benefit others who also has similar issues in forum.

[Error adding Outlook.com email address to Outlook 2021]

Issue: Add outlook.com email address to Outlook 2021 application on my PC but I get the following error:

0X800704cf & Something went wrong and Outlook couldn't set up your account. Please try again. If the problem continues, contact your email administrator.

Solution:

I was able to resolve the issue by creating a new local Windows account. It seems my account's profile was corrupted. I've been slowly transferring the old account's settings to the new one. Everything seems to be working correctly.

I have had this issue a number of times in the past with Windows account profiles becoming corrupted, going all the way back to Windows NT 4. It's a very tedious affair having to recreate all your settings in a new profile.

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Answer 2

Hi @Marc Pavlenyi

Welcome to our forum!

Please kindly understand that the Outlook Management tag here we mainly focus on general issues about Outlook desktop client. It's suggested that you could post your case in dedicated forum for Outlook.com for more professional advice.

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Can your email address be logged in on Outlook Web?

What type of account is added (Exchange/POP/IMAP)?

In addition, since the link you provided to add the steps cannot be opened, please follow the steps below to add the account again to check if there is any difference. More information: Add an email account to Outlook - Microsoft Support.

1. Select File > Add Account.
2. Enter your email address and click Connect.
3. If prompted, enter your password again, then select OK > Finish to start using your email account in Outlook.

If you are configuring a POP/IMAP account, please select the advanced options below to manually add settings such as ports, encryption, etc. For more information, see the following information: POP, IMAP, and SMTP settings for Outlook.com - Microsoft Support.

Hope this helps!

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If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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